May 25, 2015

(Scott washes his clothes by hand) our pila. big basin with water, with a washboard and a drain. And just know that this is the nicest house in the mission for sure, all the other houses I've seen are hovels. 

Front of his house

After Baptisms

Baptism group. About half of them are relatives from the Ramos family. We baptized Justin and Kevin, nephews of Javier Ramos that more or less live with them. We'll baptize the mom, the big lady in middle, when she can give up her coffee. Also, it seems thatJavier (he wouldn't tell us but he kept hinting at it) got called to be a counselor in the branch presidency! And I wanna tell ya a little bit about Mario, the old fat man in back. He and his wife, Rosalita, are one of the first converts in Morazan, and went through the temple and got sealed and everything. Everyone knows them, and the whole town passes by their place to chat. His wife learned to read, at 65 plus years, with the book of Mormon. And they're both missing a bunch of teeth but they each have what the other doesn't, so if you'd put their mouths together they'd have a complete set of teeth. Best people I know here. 

This is our kitchen. And with all the house pictures, I took them while we were cleaning, so don't judge me

Had no idea it was memorial day, thanks for the reminder. How come I didn't get a picture of the breakfast? Sounds like a good time. And I had no idea that the Old Garretts were on a mission in Ft Lauderdale? I don't think anyone ever told me. Remember the dream I had! 

But yeah, I'm back to full strength and full speed. Still have my comp but it's looking like he goes in the begining of June.

But yeah, this week was really good. Started off really good, spiritually speaking. I've always struggled with feeling the spirit, right? I got tired of not really feeling anything-I always felt like other people felt way more than I did and that I was kind of just along for the ride. So I get sick of it and did everything I could to try and change that.  I have been seeking the Lord dilligently-more than ever. Humbled myself, had some great experiences in the Book of Mormon (and testifying of the BoM), recieved lots of revelation-This week I have felt such joy, such peace, and I felt like it was such a privilege to be serving a mission-all I wanted to do was sink to my knees and express my gratitude for being here and having such earth-shaking experiences with the people and with the Lord. Still lots of problems, but with this reaffirmation of my testimony I can do anything. And its funny-I never felt this way when I saw miracles of healing, when I found scholarly evidence of the BoM, but rather I only felt this way through scripture study and a constant, humble search for the Lord-begging for the Lord, really. Long story short, I'm doing really well spiritually. I make mistakes and fall short every single day but I'm failing successfully and I know the source of my salvation. 

Still lots of other problems, the mission is hard and it's a constant mental battle. Somedays I honestly feel like I have mental issues and other days I'm on top of the world. Some really bright points this week are the ortiz family and the Ramos family. (Also, out of our 7 converts that my comp and I have had together, 5 out of the 7 are going to the temple in June. We'll see if they end up bringing names of their dead but they have their reccomends!) But anyways. These families. The changes we've seen in them are amazing. They are so much happier, their relationships with eachother are better, and they are just radiating joy that simply wasn't there before we started to introduce them to the gospel. And as always its a reminder that we teach the gospel and the culture of the gospel-joking with them, family home evenings, having fun with religious things, making it a part of life, making it who they are more than something they do on sundays. I feel right at home with them, like I could lift them up and put them in the middle of our family home evenings back home and not miss a beat. They're in and working on their salvation and its wonderful to see. 

Also, sterling, just so you know, I was showing the family photo and one family thought that Ster looks like Kevin from Home Alone. They think all white people look alike but I still thought it was funny. 

Are you happy to have everyone home or is it a headache keeping them busy? 

 And Morazan is such a small town, I love it. It's like the deep south in spanish. Or St. Johns, or any other small town. Our neighbors are all related and are from the original families of Morazan, and many nights we stop by and sit with them outside on their porches chatting with them. Their directions always make me laugh-pure St Johns. "Just go down the road til you come to the house with a big ol mango tree-turn left and you'll see a yellow house with a horse corralled out in front. Now, that's not it, but the house behind it-ya know, that old lady who had that son that got killed in the city year before last? Yeah, that's the house you're looking for" The other night we were out of food and without a dinner invitation so we went to a little place called Lola's Chicken near the house, and sat back in plastic chairs sipping on pepsi from a bottle, watching fireworks over the park, waiting on our fried chicken and the owner comes up to us and is like "are you all the new people that moved into Alejandro's house?" Yup, thats us. Small town. 

Couple matters of business, get that package shipped off yet?? If not...throw in a few ties for me. Mine are wearing out pretty quick. You know what I like, solid colors, stripes, nothing busy and nothing skinny and nothing fat. I appreciate it! Also, with what I'm looking for in that family histroy book we have to make-just things about their lifes. For example, for Ralph, I put how he was a teacher and a principal, likes hamburgers and Root beer, chevy truck, ball games, service, softball-things like that. Memories of his life that would be important to me. And I want it for all the grandparents and greats if possible. Its alot to ask for but we're spending  a ton of time teaching family history and how and why to do it. I can get the dates and places online so don't worry about that part. 

How's everydoby? Sarah's grad photos look great, I bet that was exciting. Finally! How was the ceremony? Plans for the summer for the kids? I actually think Florida is hotter it's just that...back home, if I was hot, AC or water was never far away. And if I was outside for a long period of time it's cause I was on the water, not quite the same! 

The boys been fishing? You guys need to beat the heat and go out on the wekiva or something. Go to the springs, float the canoes and kayaks up, something! 

And thanks for all the homie pictures, as usual. Especially the apron one, I got a kick out of that. I can imagine the hell that one raised. Just don't fry bacon naked, might be kinda painful. swimming in the pool and then cooking steaks, that's the way to go. Making me homesick. And breaking the sabbath too!

And way to go on the BoM reading, I just finished it for the second time in the mission. I really don't have time to read read the scriptures-lots of studying for people, which is more rewarding really, but as far as reading straight through not so much. 

And that made me laugh about cleaning up at the ward function. I'm the same way. Always more comfortable working than peopling. That's why honduras is good for me, every lesson we have we just chat for a solid 20 minutes before even talking about anything religious. I love people, its just that with people I've known forever...there's only so much you can say. 

And I'm worried about St Johns too, what can be done? Is anyone helping them? When are you gonna go out? grammies got a letter en route to her, I'm glad she's not doing too bad at least. 

And that's funnya bout the email from Dix, Riley's a good guy. Just so yall know I showed up in the mission blogs a few times recently, front and center. 

I sure miss you all like crazy. Not a day goes by that I don't think "man, I wish my family could see this/eat this/experience this" and it's a shame that you probably never will. Don't get be wrong, the USA beats the hell out of Honduras, but I do wish we could travel here one day. 

You all are the best, I sure got lucky in the family department. Keep the pictures and the updates coming! I'm about to send some photos your way. Love you all!